The government has dispatched 248 primary care trainers to the counties to boost healthcare.
The master Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) will be based in the 315 Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across the country.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary, Mary Muriuki said yesterday the flagging off of the ToTs is part of the government’s accelerated bid for the country to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“I am proud to announce that we have a cadre of 248 master ToTs who are poised to support the accelerated digital development of the model PCN in all 47 counties, with comprehensive plans in place for their deployment,” the PS said as she revealed that only Kisumu and Garissa, have fully established and operationalised PCNs.
Muriuki said the other counties were going on with their roll-out programmes in readiness for the operationalisation of the PCNs.
“The ToTs’ mission is crystal clear: to propel the expansion of Primary Care Networks (PCN) across the counties, thus fostering a more resilient healthcare system,” she said.
Prior to their unveiling, the PS pointed out that the team had successfully undergone a four day Master Trainers of Trainers training programme for the deployment to the PCNs.
The training was done in collaboration with County Governments and the Development Partners for Health Kenya (DPHK).
“I am delighted to inform you that in collaboration with County Governments and the Development Partners for Health Kenya (DPHK), we are taking significant steps towards attainment of UHC,” the PS said.
So far in the journey to achieve accessible, available, affordable and acceptable quality healthcare, we have recruited the targeted 100,000 Community Health Promoters- CHPs, added the PS.
The Ministry has also conducted assessments of 14,375 Public, Faith Based and Private hospitals across the country to gauge the resources available at the institutions and the services they provide.
Muriuki reiterated that the assessment will serve as a cornerstone for evidence-based policy formulation, guided by meticulous planning and targeted programming within the health sector.
A PCN is a clinical network of local primary care service providers located in a geographical area, and seen as avenues to efficiently deliver health services, reduce fragmentation and provide advanced care when needed.
Yesterday’s event comes exactly one month before President William Ruto officially launch the Smart Primary Care Networks at Kapkatet Hospital in Bureti Sub-County, Kericho on Mashujaa day. This year’s celebrations on October 20 will be marked under the theme: “Universal Health Care.”
This will see the Ministry of Health also announce the ongoing capacity building of Kericho County Health department to see the success of the PCNs.
“In addition to the formation of PCNs, we aim to extend the coverage of our Community Health Units (CHUs) to reach the ambitious target of 9,100,” the PS revealed.
These CHUs will serve as the frontlines of the healthcare delivery channel, ensuring that care is accessible to everyone, especially in remote areas.
The Ministry is emphasising the promotion of preventive and promotive healthcare in accordance with the four UHC pillars; Human Resource for Health, Digital Health, Commodity Security and Health Care Financing.
